'Loughborough University' is located in the
market town of
Loughborough,
Leicestershire in the
East Midlands of
England. The
University offers degree programmes and research. The University has been ranked as the 6th best in the
United Kingdom by ''
The Times'' Good University Guide 2007.
[2] The University has also been recently ranked as the 9th best in
United Kingdom by ''
The Guardian'' University Guide 2008, becoming the
East Midlands top rated University, having previously been awarded 5
Queen's Anniversary Prizes, a record only equalled by the
University of Oxford.
[3]
It is the country's premier university for sports development, research and education. The University has the largest sports scholarship programme in the UK. Currently over 250 international athletes are studying and training there.
The institution dates back to 1909, when the then Loughborough Technical Institute began with a focus on skills and knowledge which would be directly applicable in the wider world, a tradition which continues to this day, with the
UNIEI funded ''Annual Survey on University Technology Transfer Activities'' finding Loughborough to be the most efficient technology transfer operation in the UK.
[4]
Profile
The University has 24 academic departments and over 30 research institutes, divided between three faculties: Science, Engineering and Social Science & Humanities. It has approximately 17,500 students, 61% of whom are undergraduates and 32% are pursuing postgraduate courses and/or research. Its current
Chancellor is Sir
John Jennings, CBE, FRSE (the previous chancellor, Sir
Denis Rooke, OM, CBE, retired from the position in summer 2003, having served for fourteen years), and its
Vice-Chancellor is
Professor Shirley Pearce. The previous Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir
David Wallace CBE FRS DL, was appointed to the Mastership of
Churchill College,
Cambridge, in succession to Sir
John Boyd KCMG. David Wallace was Vice Chancellor of Loughborough University between 1994 until December 2005.
The University has won an unbeaten five
Queen's Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education for work with the aeronautical and automotive industries (1994); support for developing countries (1998); for a pioneering role in developing applications of modern optics and laser technologies (2000); for its world leading role in sports research, education and development (2002); and for its world leading role in social policy in recognition of its outstanding and widely respected work in evaluating and helping develop social policy-related programmes, such as those for cared for children, social security policy, crime prevention, education initiatives and young carers (2006). In the latest league tables, Loughborough was ranked 6th overall in the Times University Guide 2007, just behind Oxbridge and three London colleges (Imperial, LSE and UCL); making it the top provincial university in the United Kingdom. In the 2007 Guardian League Tables, Loughborough was ranked 9th. Although neither of these league tables include official teaching (TQA) or research (RAE) measures, the university is still held in high regard given its high performance on less academic indicators.
Campus
The University's main campus is in the
Leicestershire town of
Loughborough and until 2003 it was developing a secondary campus at
Peterborough. The Loughborough campus (once the estate of Burleigh Manor) covers an area of 433 acres (1.75 km²), and includes academic departments, halls of residence, gardens and playing fields. Of particular interest are the beautiful walled garden, the "garden of remembrance", the Hazlerigg-Rutland Hall ("Rigg-Rut") fountain-courtyard (pictured below) and the Bastard Gates. In the central quadrangle of the campus stands the famous
cedar, which has often appeared as a symbol for the University. Unfortunately a heavy snowfall in December 1990 led to the collapse of the upper canopy which gave the tree its distinctive shape. The recent acquisition by the university of Holywell Park from Advantica Technologies and a 23-acre parcel of land between New Ashby Road and Holywell Park from 3M Heath Care Limited has increased the size of the campus to 433 acres.
Loughborough University's campus from the town's Carillon tower
Aeronautical & Automotive Engineering department
Wolfson School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering
Chemistry department building at Loughborough University
Organisation
Loughborough University is headed by a
Vice-Chancellor,
Professor Shirley Pearce. The University is organised into three faculties: Science, Engineering and Social Science & Humanities with 24 academic departments and over 30 research institutes.
Faculty of Science
★ Chemistry
★ Computer Science
★ Human Sciences
★ Information Science
★ Mathematical Sciences
★ Physics
★ Ergonomics & Safety Research Institute
★ Institute of Polymer Technology & Materials Engineering
Faculty of Engineering
★ Aeronautical & Automotive Engineering
★ Chemical Engineering
★ Civil & Building Engineering
★ Electronic & Electrical Engineering
★ Systems Engineering
★ Wolfson School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering
Faculty of Social Science & Humanities
★ Business School
★ Design & Technology
★ Economics
★ English & Drama
★ Politics, International Relations & European Studies
★ Geography
★ School of Sport & Exercise Sciences
★ School of Art & Design
★ Social Sciences
★ Teacher Education Unit
Traditions
The official colour of the University is
African Violet. The incorporates several symbols relevant to the history of the Loughborough area, including
Offa's cross (a symbol of the ancient kingdom of
Mercia, within whose borders the town now stands) and the
peacock from the arms of the
Dukes of Rutland. The motto of the University is ''Veritate Scientia Labore'' (with truth, wisdom and labour, or alternatively with truth, knowledge and industry, depending on the translation).
The University has a strong tradition in both engineering and sporting, from its strong engineering and technical background it has now expanded, becoming a centre of excellence in the field of
sports and
sports science. It has graduated a number of world-class athletes including
Paula Radcliffe and
Lord Coe. In keeping with this tradition, Loughborough University students have won the
British Universities Sports Association championship every year for over two decades. Sports students are entitled to wear a different style of
scarf from other undergraduates. The university is the home of the England and Wales Cricket Board's
National Academy, opened in November 2003.
The phonetic spelling "Lufbra" is sometimes used amongst students, graduates, and in Students' Union publications, and the name is also often abbreviated to lboro both casually as well as within more formal/academic circles stemmed from the university's
url of www.lboro.ac.uk .
The Students' Union
Main articles: Loughborough Students' Union
The
Union is unusual in English universities, in that its premises are owned by the students themselves. The union building sits in the north-eastern corner of the campus, and offers a range of facilities for clubs and societies, retail, entertainment and other activities. The Union has five rooms, all with their own themes, meaning something for everyone. The most popular night in the Union is on a Wednesday, entitled "Hey Ewe", which is an evening to celebrate the Universities sport successes of the day.
Along with Loughborough Students Union's (LSU) numerous sports clubs the union hosts and organises many other activities and societies. Loughborough Students RAG organises charity work, and is among the largest such bodies in the UK, generating increasing amounts of money for charity and continually breaking records - in 2007 raising over £690,000 net, for a range of causes. LSU is also home to
Loughborough Campus Radio,
LSUTV and
Label Magazine.
Hazelrigg-Rutland Hall
Loughborough University logo at the entrance on the epinal way
Pilkington Library in west park of Loughborough University
Degree Programmes
Loughborough offers a wide variety of degree programmes, both Undergraduate and Postgraduate
Student Halls
Loughborough University is well known for its many halls, and amongst that, lots of hall spirit. There are currently 13 undergraduate halls and 2 postgraduate halls.
[5] The halls are as follows:
★ Butler Court
★ Cayley Hall
★ David Collett Hall
★ Elvyn Richards Hall
★ Falkner Eggington Courts
★ Faraday Hall
★ Forest Court (Post-Grad)
★ Harry French Hall
★ Hazlerigg and Rutland Hall
★ Royce Hall
★ Rutherford Hall
★ Somerton (Post-Grad)
★ Telford Hall
★ The Holt
★ Towers Hall
★ William Morris Hall
The University is currently building some new accommodation on the site of an existing car park on the north side of campus. Three new halls for undergraduates and one new hall for postgraduates will be built. The overall development will be a mix of four and five storey buildings, arranged around a courtyard to identify the individual halls. The halls will be provided with self catering facilities but two of the halls will include flexible packages for the nearby restaurant and social centre.
[6]
Library
The Pilkington Library opened in 1980 with most advanced facilities. It covers 7,777 square metres over three floors with 780 study places, including 140 workstations over 400,000 books; 4000 printed journals and access to 6000 e- journals. The Library has a history of undertaking research in the field of library and information work.
This is one of the most innovative libraries in the world, with an open access area where students are allowed to take in cold food and drinks as well as to engage in group discussions. The library, like most areas of the university, has full wireless internet access (wifi).
History
Origins
The University traces its roots back to 1909 when a Technical Institute was founded in the town centre. There followed a period of rapid expansion during which the Institute was renamed Loughborough College and the development of the present campus began. In 1952 the College was divided into four separate institutions: Loughborough College of Technology, Loughborough College of Art, Loughborough College of Further Education and Loughborough Training College. In 1966, the College of Advanced Technology as it had then become received University status. In 1977 the University broadened its range of studies by amalgamating with Loughborough College of Education (formerly the Training College). More recently, in August 1998, opportunities were extended still further by the merger of Loughborough College of Art and Design with the University. In the early years, efforts were made to mimic the environment of an
Oxbridge college (e.g. requiring students to wear gowns to lectures) whilst maintaining a strong practical counterbalance to academic learning. During
World War I, the Institute served as an "Instructional Factory", training workers for the munitions industry.
The Loughborough Colleges
Following the war, the Institute fragmented into four separate colleges:
★ ''Loughborough Training College'' (Teacher Training)
★ ''Loughborough College of Art'' (Art and Design)
★ ''Loughborough College of Further Education'' (Technical and Vocational)
★ ''Loughborough College of Technology'' (Technology and Science)
The latter was to become the nucleus of the present university. Its rapid expansion from a small provincial college to a world famous seat of learning was due largely to the efforts of its dynamic principal Dr. Herbert Schofield (1882-1963).
The influence of Herbert Schofield
Schofield became principal in 1915 and continued to lead the College of Technology until 1950. Over his years as principal, the college changed almost beyond recognition. He purchased the estate of Burleigh Manor on the western outskirts of the town, which became the nucleus of the present 200 acre (0.8 km²) campus. He also oversaw the building of the beautiful Hazlerigg and Rutland halls of residence. The strong sporting tradition all developed under Schofield's influence.
From College to University
In 1963, the
Robbins Report on higher education recommended that all Colleges of Advanced Technology should be given the status of universities. Consequently, in 1966 Loughborough College of Technology was granted the Royal Charter and became Loughborough University of Technology. It gradually remodelled itself in the image of the
New Universities of the period, which had also been created under Robbins.
Later history
In 1977, Loughborough Training College (now renamed Loughborough College of Education) was absorbed into the University. The Arts College was also amalgamated with the University in 1998. These additions have diluted the technological flavour of the institution, causing it to resemble more a traditional university with its mix of humanities, arts and sciences. Consequently in 1996, the University dropped the "of Technology" from its title, becoming "Loughborough University", a step much applauded by its non-technological members.
Loughborough University has continued to grow from strength to strength and in The 2006
Times Good University Guide it was placed sixth in the country after
Oxford University,
University of Cambridge,
Imperial College London,
London School of Economics and
University College London.
Reputation
Notable departments include CREST, The
Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology which runs the internationally recognised masters programme in Renewable Energy. PIRES (Politics, International Relations, and European Studies) is home to a number of world class experts in the area of European Politics and International Relations, including Professor Michael H. Smith, Professor David Allen, Professor Brian Hocking, and Mark Webber. PIRES scored a 5 in the latest Research Assessment Exercise, confirming its world class status (
Guardian: European Studies.)
University Centre of Cricket Excellence (UCCE) logo
University Leadership
Chairs of Governors
★
A.A. Bumpus (1909-25)
★
B.B. Barrow (1925-34)
★
William Bastard (1934-36)
★
W. H. Wright (1936-40)
★
Sir Robert Martin (1940-52)
★
Sir Harold West (1952-1957)
★
Sir Edward Herbert (1957-1963)
★
Sir Herbert Manzoni (1963-1966)
Chancellors
★
Lord Pilkington (1966-1980)
[7]
★
Sir Arnold Hall (1980-1989)
★
Sir Denis Rooke (1989-2003)
★
Sir John Jennings (2003-)
Principals
★
S.C. Laws (1909-1915)
★
Herbet Schofield (1915-1950)
★
Major-General W.F. Hasted (1951-1952)
★ Interim 'triumvirate' Jan-Sept 1952:
H.E. Falkner,
J.W. Bridgeman,
C.D. Bentley
★
Wing Commander H.E. Falkner (1952-1953) (Acting)
★
H.L. Haslegrave (1953-1966)
Vice Chancellors
★
H.L. Haslegrave (1966-1967)
[8]
★
Professor E.J. Richards (1967-1975)
★
Sir Clifford Butler (1975-1985)
★
Professor J.G. Phillips (1986-1987)
★
Professor Sir David Davies (1988-1993)
★
Professor Sir David Wallace (1994-2005)
★
Professor Shirley Pearce (2006-)
Notable alumni
★
Derek Abbott - Physicist and Electronic Engineer
★
Rosalind Ayres - Actress
★
Steve Backley - Javelin Thrower
★
Daniel Bennett - Singaporean footballer
★
Sebastian Coe, Baron Coe - Olympic athlete, politician and later Chairman of the
London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games
★
Robin Daniels - Engineer & Entrepreneur
★
Tobias Ellwood -
Conservative MP
★
Diane Farr - Numb3rs actress
★
Lorna Fitzsimons - former
NUS President and
Labour Party MP
★
James Gibson - Swimmer
★
Tanni Grey-Thompson - Athlete
★
Ben Kay - England
Rugby World Cup 2003 Winner
★
Jeanette Kwakye Athlete
★
Jeff Moody - T.V. Presenter, Director, and Actor
★
David Moorcroft - Runner
★
Neil Oatley - Formula One Engineer and Designer
★
Monty Panesar - England
Test Cricketer
★
Paula Radcliffe MBE - Athlete
★
Chris Read - England
Cricket Wicketkeeper
★
Mark Richardson - 400m athlete
★
Bridget Riley - Artist
★
Andy Robinson - Rugby player / coach
★
Lisa Rogers - Television presenter
★
Lawrie Sanchez - Football manager
★
Malcolm Sayer -
Jaguar Cars Designer and Engineer
★
Jodie Swallow -
Triathlete
★
David Turner - Politician
★
Bob Wilson - Ex-
Arsenal goal-keeper.
★
Sir Clive Woodward - England
Rugby coach.
★
Peter Jones (
honoris causa) - former
FIFA and
Premiership football referee.
★
Adnan al-Janabi - Iraq former minister without portfolio.
★
Robbie Simpson - Coventry City Football Player (Championship)
External links
★
Loughborough University
★
Student Accommodation in Loughborough
References
1. Table 0a - All students by institution, mode of study, level of study, gender and domicile 2005/06
2. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,2714-2208873,00.html The Times Good University Guide 2007, overall table
3. http://www.lboro.ac.uk/about/qap.html Loughborough University, Queen's Anniversary Prizes
4. http://www.emda.org.uk/uploaddocuments/threecitiesreport.pdf East Midlands Assembly
& EMDA: Three Cities Scoping Study: Building A Complementary Development Framework, p66, Box 6.7
5. http://accommodation.lboro.ac.uk/halls/hall_browse.php Loughborough University, Halls Of Residence
6. http://www.lboro.ac.uk/service/publicity/news-releases/2007/82_student_accommodation.html Loughborough University, All systems go for new campus student accommodation
7. Prior to the 1966 Royal Charter the Chair of Governors held the comparable position
8. Prior to the 1966 Royal Charter the Principal held the comparable position
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